Whether you’re planning to relocate or simply want to reduce clutter around the house, renting a mobile storage unit is definitely a good option. It provides extra space to keep items you cannot let go of while offering easy access and convenience in transporting your things to another location.
In order to get the most value out of what you pay for when renting portable storage, it’s best to be wise about the way you pack your belongings. To help you out, here are five ways for you to maximize the space inside your mobile storage unit:
-
Use (Mostly) Uniform-Sized Boxes
Using several boxes in the same size will significantly increase the ease with which you fill up your mobile storage unit, while also maximizing the available space.
The key is to use soft items like blankets, clothes, and soft toys to fill the remaining empty spaces in the boxes. For items that are too big to fit your uniform containers, you can set them aside larger boxes. Just remember to label them and keep an organized inventory of the things that you put inside each box for better accessibility.
-
Fill Boxes to the Brim
Aside from ensuring a place for all your items inside the storage unit, filling containers up to the brim has two more key benefits: easier stacking and reduced risk of damage.
Since they are full, boxes – especially those that are made from light materials like cardboard – won’t wobble if they are stacked together. Plus, filled-up containers are less likely to cause damage to the items they contain since these won’t be able to move around and bump into each other during transit.
-
Don’t Forget the Aisle
Whatever your reason for using a mobile storage unit may be, the fact remains that you would need to have unobstructed access to your belongings. To do so, you must remember to keep an aisle or pathway open so you can get to your things without the need to remove items packed in front of them.
Make sure to pack your storage unit starting from the back. Continue loading it up while leaving enough space in the middle to allow you to walk around comfortably without having to remove items that obstruct your way.
-
Maximize Storage Space Using Furniture
If you’re renting a storage unit for an upcoming move, there is a good chance that you would also pack your furniture in. If this is the case, you can take full advantage of the space by distributing these bigger items evenly throughout the unit.
You may also use couches and sofas to stack boxes safely without the risk of moving and breaking during transit. The key is to tie them securely onto the furniture to prevent them from moving around on the way to your destination.
Other items like mattresses can also be used as “walls” along the aisles to ensure that the containers don’t move around and bump into each other while being transported.
-
Load the Unit Vertically
Ideally, you must pack your mobile storage unit vertically to ensure that every bit of space is used up. Tempting as it may be, filling up bottom layers of containers can make loading the unit more challenging compared to stacking items from the bottom up.
You should start by loading the innermost part of the unit first and work your way out to the entryway. Place bulky and heavy items inside first and make sure that space is filled up vertically before moving on to the next section.
Pack for Optimal Space Use
Keeping your belongings safe in a mobile storage unit while maximizing space is not impossible if you know the best practices in packing and loading. Make sure you follow these tips to avoid the stress that can add to the pressure of moving and get the most of what you paid for.
AUTHOR BIO
Chris Humphrey is the General Manager of Easytruck Moving & Storage. In 2013, the company combined their expertise in professional moving services and storage to create an entirely new approach to the business – and mobile storage was born! Easytruck now operates over 30,000 sq.ft. of air-conditioned facilities in three convenient locations in Dubai and is the only Mobile Storage operator in the UAE.
Daryl Green 
Barbara Ratliff